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Saturday, January 30, 2010

Arched windows are a beautiful architectural element. From grand Georgian mansions to charming country cottages, arched windows have a pleasing and timeless shape. Often the room has one arched window as a focal point with other, standard windows in the room. This presents a challenge to the Interior Designer of how to treat all the windows while maintaining consistency and balance.

The workroom professional must draft accurate patterns when making treatments for ached shaped windows, this includes having a pattern of the arch shape and clear measurements of the width, shortest point and longest point. Materials for constructing mounting frames and cornices include bendable plywood which is also called "wiggle board" and FirmaFlex, a bendable fiberboard (www.rowleycompany.com) which is lightweight, flame retardant and moisture and mildew resistant. Other hardware options include decorative iron rods which can be bent to fit the shape and the rings of course must be secured in place by welding or with small pins and holes.

There are basically two arched shapes; a true half circle or an eyebrow shape. The effect of an arched window can be achieved over a standard window if there is room above to raise the center of the treatment. This can make a boring room more exciting!

I have put together a collection of window treatment designs for arches below. Notice how some of the arches are treated with panels that are straight across the top. This allows for more clearance and for the option to traverse as arched treatments can not traverse opened and closed. If a working arched window treatment is desired it must be lifted from the bottom so you will often see Austrian, Balloon or Roman shades in arches or the use of tiebacks or Italian Stringing.

www.finestradecorativehardware.com

From the book Scalamandre', Luxurious Home Interiors by Brian Coleman, photography by Dan Mayers